Australian all-rounder Cameron Green disclosed on Thursday that he has been battling a chronic kidney disease since childhood, and initially, his life expectancy was not anticipated to extend beyond the age of 12.
Despite these challenges, now at the age of 24, Green has emerged as a crucial player for the Australian team in all three formats. However, he has experienced a decline in his performance and popularity in recent months.
"My parents got told when I was born I had a chronic kidney disease," he said in an interview with Channel Seven during Australia's first Test against Pakistan in Perth.
"Basically there are no symptoms, it just got picked up during ultrasounds."
Green, a native of Perth, mentioned the blood filtering capacity of his kidney function is currently at around 60 percent.
"With chronic kidney disease there's five stages, with stage one being the least severe, and stage five being transplant or dialysis," he said.
"Fortunately, I'm stage two, but if you don't look after them enough, it easily goes back down. Kidneys can't get better. It's irreversible."
His father, Gary, informed the broadcaster that the initial prognosis was disheartening.
"There were life-expectancy issues that he might not expect to live past 12 years of age," he said.
Throughout his cricket career, Green has mostly experienced minimal impact from the disease. However, he acknowledged occasional cramping, which he attributes to the underlying problem.
Despite having played 24 Tests, Green was excluded from the Perth squad in favour of Mitchell Marsh. He revealed his condition publicly with the intention of raising awareness about the disease.
(With AFP inputs)
